Wallabies Beaten And Springboks Tie Series

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30231, 9 September 1963, Page 16

Wallabies Beaten And Springboks Tie Series

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) PORT ELIZABETH, September 8. South Africa overwhelmed Australia, 22-6, in the fourth and final Rugby test at Port Elizabeth on Saturday, drew the series, 2-all, and averted its first long tour series defeat at home since 1896. When Australia led, 6-3, until the twenty-first minute of the second half, the Wallabies looked set for a memorable victory. But a vital penalty goal by J. Naude levelled the score 6-all.

Then K. Oxlee, in what really was the deciding move, kicked a penalty in the thirtythird minute of the second half for South Africa to lead 9-6. What followed was little better than a rout. Against a disorganised Wallaby side, which earlier had tackled tenaciously, the Springboks scored three tries, of which Oxlee converted two. Abe Mailan, Naude, with a somewhat doubtful try, and finally J. Gainsford touched down to push the score to 22-6—an unflattering result in what had been a really tight game. Atrocious Kick Malan’s try came from an atrocious kick by the Australian centre, B. Ellwood, which actually came back over Ellwood’s head. In a flash, Naude took it a,nd the ball moved between C. Driksen, Bedford and Malan, who ran 20 yards to score in the corner. Oxlee converted with a great kick from the sideline. The non-white section was upset, but when Naude scored soon after they went beserk. The police battled to repel hundreds who tried to invade the field, and white spectators joined in. Naude’s try appeared to be scored when J. Schoeman was stopped short of the line and the ball was knocked on. Naude picked it up and was awarded a try. Four-Minute Hold-up

Play stopped for about four minutes. Then the referee, Captain Piet Myburgh, allowed it to continue, although some spectators were on the field. In extra time D. Hopwood made a break and Gainsford took the pass to score between the posts. In more unruly scenes, the players were mobbed as they tried to leave the field. The Springbok captain, Abe Malan, was shouldered off the field. Australia’s opening points came from a penalty goal

just before half-time by T. Casey—a great kick from 50 yairds and wide out. It equalised an easy penalty by Oxlee after 38 minutes. Oxlee and Naude had failed with five attempts before the scoring was opened. Australia looked better when P. Hawthorne scored a field goal four minutes after the restart, and play then see-sawed until Naude and Oxlee kicked their penalty goals to tilt the scales. Backs Fumbled

Australia’s forwards played particularly well, with breakaway, J. Guerassimoff, outstanding. He was never off the ball. But Australia’s backs often fumbled opportunities.

Ellwood, wiho had a painkilling injection in his bruised right hip, did not have a good day. The wing, J. Boyce, who played well, had too few opportunities, and tlie full-back, Casey, had a patchy day.

Australia was not helped by what appeared unnecessarily severe interpretations by the referee. In the first half, he penalised Australia, mainly for alleged scrum breaches by P. Johnson, 13 times to seven.

Captain Myburgh’s rulings were not consistent with his decisions in the second and third tests.

The Australian forwards were incensed by his rulings. Late -in the game Johnson made no attempt to hook for the ball. He was beaten for tight head possession, 3-0, by Malan—his first tight-head loss of the series.